Arashiyama Bamboo Forest tours: fifteen ways to visit, ranked by price
What you are actually paying for
I live ten minutes from the path. The bamboo costs nothing. What people actually pay for is access you cannot buy at the gate: an hour before the crowds arrive, a rickshaw through the only lane where wheels are allowed, a licensed guide who knows which side path is empty at nine in the morning, or the paid attractions next to the free one—Tenryū-ji temple (JPY 500), Iwatayama Monkey Park, Ōkōchi Sansō garden, the Sagano train, the Hozugawa river boat.
Below: all fifteen tours and rentals, grouped by what they actually give you. Cheapest tour: $31. Most reviewed: $51. Most expensive: $150.
Best all-in valueTemple & monkey park entry includedKyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo, Matcha, Monkeys & Temple Tour
Most reviewedThree entry tickets includedArashiyama Bamboo & Temple, with Monkeys or a Sake Brewery
The rickshaw-only laneKyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest
Before the crowdsKyoto: Arashiyama Early Access Bamboo & Temple Tour
Shortest morning walkArashiyama Morning: Silent Bamboo, Photo Spots & Zen Garden
Beyond the groveTwo temple admissions includedKyoto: Arashiyama Hidden Temples & Bamboo Grove Guided Tour
By bike · morningBike, helmet & admissions includedKyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Morning Tour by Bike
By bike · afternoonBike, helmet & entry fees includedKyoto: Afternoon Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park Bike Tour
Cheapest thing to bookKyoto: Arashiyama Kimono Rental with Free Hairstyling
Private photoshootKyoto Arashiyama: Kimono Experience & Photoshoot
Train + river boatTrain, boat & lunch includedKyoto Hozugawa River Boat & Sagano Romantic Train Tour
Train, boat & onsenKyoto: Arashiyama Day Tour with Train, Boat, and Onsen
After darkKyoto Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Legends, Bamboo Forest at Night
From OsakaOsaka to Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Small Group Tour
1,200 rakan statuesTemple entry & car transfer includedOtagi Nenbutsu-ji & Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Walking Tour
Guided walks vs. everything else
Most of the page is guided tours of the path and the temples around it. But there is a faster, private lane (rickshaw). A rented kimono to walk in. A day trip from Osaka. A night walk. A 1.5-hour river boat through the gorge. Below: how they fit together so you pick what you actually want.
| Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo, Matcha, Monkeys & Temple Tour | Top pickArashiyama Bamboo & Temple, with Monkeys or a Sake Brewery | Kyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $51 | $50 |
| Duration | 4 hours | 5–5.5 hours | 45–190 min |
| Includes monkeys | Yes — uphill hike | Yes, option A only | No |
| Entry tickets | Tenryū-ji & Monkey Park | Three tickets | No admissions |
| Best for | First-time, good value | Most people | Private lane access |
| Free cancellation | ✓ Up to 24 h before | ✓ Up to 24 h before | ✓ Up to 24 h before |
| View → | Book this → | View → |
Book an early morning tour if you can. The path at 7 a.m. is quiet and the light is better. Crowds build sharply after 9 a.m. and stay heavy through the afternoon.
Read the reviews
I have written detailed reviews of eight of these tours: the main guided walks, the rickshaw, the bikes, the kimono rental, the train-and-boat day, and the night walk. Start with the most-reviewed tour (939 reviews, $51), or browse all reviews.
Still deciding? Read what each price band buys, the best time to visit, or how long to spend in Arashiyama.
Can’t make these dates?
Browse more available Arashiyama bamboo forest tour and find one that fits your schedule — all with instant confirmation and free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest free?
Yes. The path is free and open twenty-four hours. No gate, no ticket, no entrance fee. There is nothing to sell you for entry itself. The tours and rentals on this page are for guides, rickshaws, kimono, temple admissions, and transport — things that do cost money.
Which Arashiyama tour should I book?
For most visitors the Bamboo & Temple tour at $51 is the best value — it has 939 reviews and includes three entry tickets. On a budget, the silent walk at $31. For a special experience, the $50 rickshaw (the only vehicle allowed on the private lane through the grove). Read the honest price breakdown.
What is the best time to visit?
Early morning between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m. is the best window — quiet and good for photos. Crowds build sharply after 9 a.m. Late afternoon after 6 p.m. is quieter again. Avoid 11 a.m. in November if crowds are a dealbreaker.
How long do I need?
A walk through the path itself takes 10–15 minutes. Most people spend 30–45 minutes photographing and at Nonomiya Shrine. If you add nearby temples, allow a half day or full day.
Can I visit at night?
The path is legal and walkable after dark, but unlit. You will need your own light. The Ghost Tour ($38) runs a guided night walk with a drink and stories.
Do these tours start from a hotel?
No hotel pickups. Most tours meet at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (15 minutes from Kyoto Station, about ¥240). Two tours meet at Randen Arashiyama tram station. One from Osaka has Osaka pickup.